Chapter 9:

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I anxiously tapped my fingers against the table, a small beat of sweat trailing down my forehead. My foot tapped to the rhythm of the clock. The menacing sound encircled me and completely took over my senses. All thought seemed to leave as I watched the second slowly tick its way around the first hand. My eyelashes felt heavy as I craned my neck to see it. My eyes roamed across the filled room and I noticed everyone was in the same state I was in. The classroom seemed a blur as the tick tock from the clock surrounded us. It was the last ten minutes of class and everyone was on edge.

Mrs. Parrot watched from afar as we all tapped and bit at our finger tips for the bell to ring. We were taking a test on the day before thanksgiving. Crazy right? She's insane. I sat upright and glanced around the room. Everyone seemed to finish. The corner of my lips started to lift upward but failed when I noticed that Salma still had her test. A groan automatically left my lips.

The rule was no one could move or make any noise or use their cell phones until everyone in the classroom had finished their test.

I slouched in my chair and sighed. This is it; I was going to die of boredom. I rubbed my eyes and groaned inwardly when my iPhone started to light up. I noticed it was a group conversation from jafar. I smile crept up my lips as I grabbed my backpack to cover my desk so Miss. Parrot wouldn't see me. I clicked on it and immediately got a message.

Jafar: Hey, Imran you in?

Me: Yup.

Alex077: Join the club dude.

Granto-man: Whaaats upp man!

Me.: Really, he added you guys? -_-

Alex077: Yup....

AbdullahBear: Hey Guys!

Granto-Man: Dude, why is your name 'AbdullahBear'?!

Alex077: You took the words right out of my mouth.

AbdullahBear: Don't ask me; ask the idiot who added me in. He named it like that. Jafar change it!

Jafar: No. It's a free country and I wanted to name you that. Sue me. Plus it looks nice.

AbdullahBear: -_-

I cracked a smile shook my head. I looked up and noticed that Alex had a smirk plastered on his face as well. He seemed to enjoy this little chat. Grant was sitting next to me with a goofy grin on his face too.

Me: Abdullah aren't you suppose to be in class now.

AbdullahBear: Yup, but the teacher let us out early since everybody finished the test.

Alex077: That's not even fair. Mrs. Big Bird over there still didn't let us out.

Granto-man: Not everybody in the class finished the test though.

Jafar: Salma dearest isn't finished yet.

AbdullahBear: Forget that, you guys ready to go?

I immediately sat up and smiled widely. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. I can't wait till this class is finished. We spent all yesterday packing and getting ready. The routine was that me, Abdullah and Jafar were going to drive together to Sacramento while dad, Uncle Isa, Imam Musa, and they guys went on another. Mom, Aunty Aminah and Hana went together in the van with most of the bags since they got the biggest car. We were all going to meet at the house where Muhammad was waiting.

Me: Dude, I can't wait! It's going to be absolutely amazing.

Alex077: Where are you guys going?

Granto-man: Yah, where?

Jafar: We're going on a road trip to Sacramento!

Granto-man: No way! Let us come. I've got nothing to do the rest of the break.

Alex077: yah man, we could all go together.

Jafar: Sorry bro, No idiots allowed.

Alex077: -_- Imran, can we come?

Me: sorry guys, it's kinda a family thing. Maybe next time?

AbdullahBear: Don't worry though, we'll send you pictures ;)

Alex077: No one needs your pictures dork.

Jafar: Watch your language! There are kids here.

Me: ....you just... never mind.

The bell suddenly chimed through the room and everybody ran to the door. I powered off my phone and swung my backpack across my shoulder. I sighed and started walk when Jafar beamed at me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Imagine the moment when you're driving and the wind is in your hair. The smell of breeze and the ocean as we cross the golden-gate bridge. Imagine the sights, building, stores-"

"Suck it Jafar, I'm not going to get jealous." Alex frowned and turned to me. He sighed and attempted a smile. "Have fun at the trip." I nodded and he walked away.

Grant came rushing and pulled me into a hug. I laughed and awkwardly patted his back. "Whoa dude, nice to meet you too" He pulled away and gave me a wide grin.

"See you dude. And Jafar," he turned to Jafar and shook his hand. "It was great doing business with you. Have fun on your trip!" I waved to him and walked to the car when Abdullah came into view.

A huge smile was on his face as he swung open the car door and fixed on the seat belt. "I can't wait wallahi! I couldn't concentrate the entire time I was taking the test." I smiled and started the ignition.

"It's going to be awesome! I just hope it goes exactly how I want it too."

*******

"Imran, don't forget to take Hana." I stopped picking up the luggage and froze. It was suppose to be an all guys night with Jafar and Abdullah. I didn't know she was coming.

"Hana is coming with us?" Mom gave me a look and cracked a smile. Her gold hijab was securely wrapped around her head, and a smile light up her face.

"You're so adorable when you act stupid Imran. Of course she's going with you! We don't have space in our car." I let out an exasperated sigh and pouted.

"But I promised the guys it will be a guy's night. It can't be a guy's night if Hana is there." Mom shook her head and fixed the hair that fell in front of my eyes.

"Well you'll just have to tell them to deal with it. I'm sorry son, but I have go. Aminah and Abdullah's mother are waiting for me. I love you son, Salam." She kissed my cheek and gave Hana a hug and left.

I closed the trunk of the car and turned to Hana who was standing there with a huge grin. Her brown hijab glowed in the sun and her small abayah made her look more adorable than usual. I smiled and picked her up.

"So are you ready sport? You're coming with me." Hana sighed and pinched my cheek.

"Don't act like you wanted to take me, mom forced you." I laughed and opened the car door and sat her down.

"Now why would you think that? I love you 'lil sis." She frowned and slowly started to smile.

"Sure." I chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"Now that we're good, put on your seat belt, it's time to go." I started the engine and zoomed out of the parking lot when my phone chimed. A groan instantly escaped my lips. I was driving and there were cars all around us. I placed both my hands on the steering wheel and glanced at Hana from the mirror.

"Hey, Hana grab my phone for me please." She stared blankly at me and blinked before looking back down at her toy.

"What did mom tell you about talking to Jafar while driving? He's going to get us killed Imran." I chuckled and shrugged.

"Fine but if there's an emergency or a zombie apocalypse and that call was the only call that could save us, it's your entire fault." She smiled and shrugged.

"Deal." I laughed and pulled over at Jafar's house. Jafar stood there with three bags and a huge smile plastered on his face. I slowed down the car and raised an eyebrow.

"What's with all the bags man?" Jafar snorted and hauled the bags to the trunk. Once he closed the door, and pulled on his seatbelt and grinned at me.

"It's for an emergency. I brought clothes for each day, so if I get one dirty, or its gets bitten by dogs; I have an extra pair. I also brought extra food and drinks for the trip. Smart right?" I shrugged and pulled out of the drive way.

Jafrar turned around in his chair and smiled at Hana. "Hey cutie-pie. How are you?" Hana smiled up at him and placed her toy on the seat next to her.

"Hey man, what took you so long? I've been calling you for the past twenty minutes."

"I had to get Hana ready. Mom left because your mom, and Abdullah's mom wanted to go early. "A smile crept up my lips when I seen an angry Abdullah standing in front of his garage.

"Oh-oh, someone is mad." I laughed along with Jafar when Abdullah packed his bags in the trunk and sat beside Hana. His eyebrows were furrowed and a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"I've been standing in the sun for thirty minutes man! Where were you?" Abdullah gave me an exhausted look and fanned himself with his Lakers hat. The weather was really hot, and you could see the heat waves along the hot cement road. It was fall; I had no idea why it was so hot.

"Goodness Abdullah, you could've gone inside the house and waited."

Abdullah gave me an annoyed look and leaned back in his chair while covering his face from the blazing sun.

"I would've if mom hadn't locked the door. She said you were coming soon. Thanks for bailing on me." I laughed and turned on the air conditioner. A calming silence filled the room and I leaned back and drove with one hand. I slowly started to think of the last time we went on a road trip. When I was ten, dad took us camping. It was my first time in the wilderness, and dad showed us how to start a fire, kill mosquitoes, and survive in the woods. It was me, Jafar, Abdullah, and Dad. Hana wasn't born yet, so Mom let us go. I remember it like it was yesterday.

"Oh my gosh, dad it's a moose!" I started in awe as the massive animal slowly drank from the pond. It was huge. It slowly bent its head to drink the water in silence. I tapped Jafar on the shoulder and watched as his jaw dropped from the sight.

"I see son, everyone go down. Don't let him see us." We crept down and sat in the silence as we watched as the Moose bit into the water lilies. His massive antlers swayed every time he bent to bite it.

Abdullah silently tapped me on the shoulder. "Imran, move I can't see." I sighed and moved to the right when the bush rustled. I gasped and froze. Abdullah unaware that I hadn't moved crashed into me and sent both of us falling from the rock we were perched on. Jafar watched as the Moose turned to us with an angry look. He gulped and slowly began to stand up. The moose took a step towards us and charged.

" Guys...Run!" I rushed to my feet and ran for my life when a loud noise came from behind us. Abdullah and Jafar ran ahead of me screaming from the top of their lungs. The tree branches encompassed the entire area and we had to jump and turn into each corner. The moose was hot on our heels as we ran. Dad pulled me in front of him and called out for Jafar and Abdullah.

"Kids, run to the camp site!"

Dad ran as fast as he could, each time pulling me with him. The car was parked in an open area, and dad knew that moose's were secluded animals. They didn't like to be in the open like this. I ran as fast as my feet would carry me; the dust and sand picking up beneath us.

Once we reached the camp sight, the moose was no longer behind us. We all stopped running and tried to catch our breaths. Jafar turned with an exhausted face and spotted the Moose.

"Uncle Dawud, he's leaving." We watched in silence as the moose turned and shrugged back to the pond. After a few seconds of silence, we all crashed onto the logs and began to laugh uncontrollably. Dads laugh echoed as he wiped the tears of joy in his eyes. Abdullah couldn't control himself as he laughed and rolled on the grass. Jafar smiled and started to jump up and down.

"That was awesome! Let's do it again!"

"Earth to Imran. Is anyone there? Dude, there are people behind us!" Jafar waved his fingers in my face and gave me a confused face.

I blinked and pressed on the gas pelts when the honks from behind us became louder. I had no idea I blanked out. I made a u-turn and let out a heavy sigh. The cold air from the air conditioner hit my face as I focused on the road. I glanced at the rear view mirror and smiled when I seen Abdullah sleeping and Hana was watching her favorite show on my lap-top.

I turned to Jafar and seen him smirking at me with a weird look on his face. I stopped on a red light and turned to him.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" He shrugged and looked out the window.

"No reason. What were you thinking about? " I sighed and ran a hand over my face and smiled.

"I was thinking about Dad, and that time he took us camping. You remember that time we were chased by that moose." Jafar laughed out loud and took a sip out of his water. His blond hair a bit damp from the sweat that formed on his forehead.

"Of course I remember that was the best day of my life." I smiled and turned off the air conditioner. I rolled down the window, and a gush of air attacked my face. The soothing feel of the wind weaving through my hair was refreshing. I savored the feeling and sighed. The air was getting colder, since it was already asar time. The sun was getting lower, and left a beautiful blue, purple color in the sky. Palm trees outlined the roads. Their long, green leaves branched out and swayed with the light breeze. It felt like home, wondering in Fresno.

Suddenly, the wind started to die down, and I sat up. I looked out the window and noticed that every other car in the road was speeding. The line of cars behind us diminished, and everyone was somehow going double our speed, I stared in confusion until it hit me.

The cars weren't speeding, we were getting slower.

The tiers screeched as I pulled over to the side and turned on the emergency lights. Jafar looked up from his phone and gave me a perplexed look.

"Imran, what's going on?"

I opened my mouth to replay, but closed it in shame when I realized I forgot to add gas to the car. It was half way when mom told me to go to the gas station last night. I forgot because I was busy packing my cloths.

Jafar sat up and narrowed his eyes at me. "Imran, don't tell me you forgot to get gas!"

I sighed and rested my head on the steering wheel. This has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever done.

"Look, it wasn't my fault. I was busy last night with-"

"Were going on a road trip for god's sake; how you could forget to get gas?!" I sighed and stepped out of the car. The cars in the freeway zoomed past us in top speed and the hot dust from the road was threatening to get in my eyes. The sand prickled on skin on my arm, and legs. I squinted to keep from the sand and opened the trunk.

Mom used to keep a gallon of gasoline in the trunk for emergency case. I rummaged through the bags we brought, but I couldn't find it. Mom must have taken it this morning.

Jafar sighed and took out his phone. I closed the trunk and sat up on it. Hana came out of the car and gave me a worried look.

"Imran, why did we stop?" I jumped off the trunk and bent to pick her up. Her hair escaped from her hijab, so I gently tucked it in and smiled into her face.

"We ran out of gas, that's all. Now, jafar is going to call for help. You stay inside the car and protect Abdullah okay?" she misled and nodded her head. She went back into the car when Jafar turned to me with a frown.

"Dad isn't answering his phone. Neither is mom. What are we going to do?" I pulled out my phone and tried to call my mom but she wouldn't answer either. I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Try calling Imam Musa." Jafar asked. I dialed his number but it went straight to voicemail. A groan escaped my lips and pulled out my wallet to search for money when a card fell out. Immediately a smile crept up my face.

"I know who we can call." I pulled out the card and showed him. Jafar looked at me and then slowly began to shake his head.

"No. No way are we calling them. No. I'd rather wait until imam musa picks up." I laughed and began to dial the number. It was either call them, or wait until someone rescues us. Plus, we didn't have enough time. It was already Asar time.

"Hello, you've reached Yusuf Mohamed number, how may I help you?" I smiled and put the phone on speaker so that Jafar could hear.

"Salma, its Imran and Jafar. We need to talk to your dad. Is he there?" I heard a heavy sigh from the other line and I knew she was going to lie to us.

"Nope. Why?"

"look here missy, were stranded in the middle of nowhere, your dad is the only guy who could help us right now. So can you kindly put him on the phone." Jafar exclaimed and waited for her response. It was quite until laughter erupted in our ears. I frowned and turned to an angry Jafar.

"Oh, oh this is too good! So you're telling me your stranded!" she started to laugh again when Jafar took the phone and sighed.

"Please, Salma, I know you have a heart deep, deep, deep down there. So can you please get past this ridiculousness and hand the phone to your dad. We have a place to be at in a few hours. "It was quiet for a couple of seconds when she sighed again.

"Where are you guys going?" I frowned and responded.

"Were going to Abdullah's cousins wedding. Why?" It was quiet again until she finally spoke.

"Fine, I'll tell dad about you predicament in one condition." Jafar sighed and grabbed the phone.

"Were not doing your homework, and we're not going to give you money." He frowned and whispered to me, "Why couldn't Anisa answer the phone, this could've been a lot faster." I laughed and nodded.

"No you dork, I don't want you money, and I could do my homework myself thank you very much. But I'm only going to tell dad in two conditions."

"What."

"First, we get to come-"Jafar's eyes widened and was about to scream but I covered his mouth and let her finish. "-and we get to go to the wedding too."

Jafar pushed my hand from his mouth and screamed. "What! No way! You don't even know Mohamed. Why would you want to come?"

Salma sighed again and laughed. "What, did you think dad would just pick you up, drop you off and go home without having any fun whatsoever?" Jafar blinked and shrugged.

"Yup, pretty much."

"No way. Hes going to go to the wedding since he's off work for a week, and were coming too since we have nothing better to do." I frowned and shook my head.

"You're girls. I hardly think your dad's car is big enough, plus we all can't be in the same car. It's unsuitable." Jafar nodded his head, but Salma just laughed again.

"Ew you idiot. You would drive you own car, while we drive ours. Who would want to be in a car with dumb, dumber, and dumbest? That's crazy talk. See you in thirty minutes." Jafar fumed and was about to respond when she cut the line.

"The nerve of this girl! Oh allah give us patience." I laughed an sat on the car hood.

Yup. This was going to be a long day.

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